A breath of fresh air to see a Thai official that had the courage, integrity and ethic to do what he is paid to do instead of putting his hand out. It will be interesting to see how many Politicians will now actively support Wichian Chinnawong, who led the Feb 4 operation or whether the weight of favors owed will kill off transparency and purity of due process. I wonder whether Premchai's personal jet and cargo was examined prior to its departure from Thailand.

'Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way they ask for directions'. -Winston Churchill-

Italian-Thai Development president Premchai Karnasuta reported to police on Wednesday to hear additional charges, including bribery, in connection with alleged illegal hunting inside the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary.

The construction magnate heard the charges at the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division. They included illegal possession of African elephant ivory, firearms offences and bribery.

Mr Premchai, who is on bail, did not talk to reporters on arrival and he and his lawyer went immediately into the building. The meeting with police was continuing.

Environment police chief Pol Maj Gen Panya Pinsuk said before the meeting that his division will charge Mr Premchai on the firearms and ivory counts. The bribery accusation was being handled by the Counter Corruption Division.

Anti-corruption police chief Pol Maj Gen Kamol Rianracha was also at the meeting with Mr Premchai.

The meeting came one day after police recommended public prosecutors arraign Mr Premchai and his three companions on nine charges related to poaching. They were arrested inside the park in Thong Pha Phum district in Kanchanaburi on Feb 4, with firearms and the butchered carcasses of protected species, including a black leopard.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!

Italian-Thai Development president Premchai Karnasuta denied all three new charges leveled against him after being informed of the fresh accusations by police.

"I have denied all three charges today," the businessman told reporters after the meeting with police at the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division on Wednesday.

Earlier report: Premchai reports to police to hear new charges

Asked whether he killed the black leopard, the embattled construction tycoon said: "No, I didn't." The truth would be made known in court, he added.

The carcass of the rare female leopard was among those found at his campsite in a no-camping area at the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Thong Pha Phum district in Kanchanaburi, where he and three companions were arrested by park officials on the night of Feb 4.

Mr Premchai spent about four hours with police who formally pressed charges of illegal possession of firearms and African elephant ivory, and bribing an official.

The two illegal possession cases are being handled by the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, and the bribery allegation by the police Counter Corruption Division.

Police on Tuesday recommended that public prosecutors arraign Mr Premchai and his three companions on nine charges related to poaching.

Deputy police chief Pol Gen Srivara Ransibrabhamnakul confirmed Mr Premchai denied the new counts, but said police had evidence to support the charges.

Mr Premchai left for the Criminal Court, where police would seek to detain him further, after the police meeting was finished.
Police did not object to his seeking bail.

The court later formally approved the first 12-day period of police detention to allow further investigation and allowed Mr Premchai bail with a 300,000 baht bond, on condition he does not leave the country without prior permission.

Mr Premchai and his co-accused were already on bail of 150,000 baht on the previous charges.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!

Construction magnate Premchai Karnasuta met police on Wednesday to answer prosecutors' questions about damage he and other three suspects caused to the forest during their alleged hunting trip in a Kanchanburi wildlife sanctuary.

The meeting focused on prosecutors' request for additional information on damage caused to the ecosystem of Thungyai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary during their stay in a no-camping area, deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said after leading the interrogation session early on Wednesday.

The prosecutors are considering how much compensation the four suspects must jointly be required to make, he said. It is a civil case.

They are also facing criminal charges in connection with alleged poaching, but Pol Gen Srivara said investigators have to wait for complete results of forensic testing of items found at their illegal camp inside the world heritage site.

Mr Premchai remained tight-lipped after the 40-minute questioning session at the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division.

The embattled 63-year-old president of Italian-Thai Development Plc met police for the second consecutive day after he and his driver, Yong Dodkrua who is one of the other three suspects, reported to police at the Counter Corruption Division on Tuesday.

Besides nine high-profile charges related to wildlife poaching, Mr Premchai is also accused of trying to bribe Thungyai wildlife sanctuary chief Wichian Chinnawong, who led the arrest of the suspects on Feb 4.

The most notorious items found at their camp are the pelt of a rare black Indochinese leopard and a cooking pot containing leopard-meat soup.

Police earlier sent their 857-page case report to prosecutors, recommending indictments, but at least four points are still unclear and prosecutors want clarification.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!

I guess that this is just the start of it! Although, some of the dropped charges may just be legal speak:
..........................................................................................................................Premchai off hook on five charges

The public prosecutor's decision to drop five charges against construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta has been met with fierce criticism.

Social media has been flooded with angry questions after the Office of Public Prosecution Region 7 announced its decision Wednesday to drop almost half of the charges against Mr Premchai.

The president of Italian-Thai Development and three of his friends were arrested on Feb 4. They were charged with poaching in the Thungyai Nareusuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site, in Kanchanaburi province.

Somsri Wattanapaisarn, director-general of the regional public prosecution office, read out the prosecution office's decision.

Prosecutors decided to press on with six charges against Mr Premchai. These are carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, hunting protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally, and collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve without permission.

The five charges dropped were entering a wildlife sanctuary without permission, possessing wildlife-hunting tools, attempting to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, committing cruelty to animals, and possessing firearms and ammunition without permission.

The other three people charged in the case are Italian-Thai Development employees Yong Dodkhruea, Nathee Riamsaen and Thanee Thummat.

Mr Yong faces the same charges prosecutors resolved to press against Mr Premchai, plus an additional charge of colluding to possess firearms and ammunition without permission, Ms Somsri said.

Ms Nathee, who served as a cook during the poaching trip, faces almost all the charges recommended by the police, except for the one for colluding to hunt wildlife, Ms Somsri said.

Mr Thanee faces the same charges Mr Yong does, plus another charge for colluding to hunt wildlife, she said.
The indictment will also claim damages from all four totalling 462,000 baht, payable to the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!

Prosecutors on Thursday insisted they can explain to the public why they decided to drop almost half of the 11 charges against construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, who allegedly poached animals in the Thungyai Nareusuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi in February.

Somsri Watanapaisal, chief of the Office of Public Prosecution Region 7, said prosecutors used their discretion to deliberate on the case.
They also took into consideration public sentiment about the killing of a black leopard, which is a protected animal, she said.

The hunting party is suspected of having shot and eaten the rare wild cat.

"The working team of prosecutors did not buy time in the case and we stand ready to answer any questions the public may have," said Ms Somsri, adding prosecutors do not take sides.

Mr Premchai, the president of Italian-Thai Development, and three of his associates were arrested on Feb 4 at the sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site.

The three other suspects are Yong Dodkhruea, Nathee Riamsaen and Thanee Thummat.
The Office of Public Prosecution Region 7 on Wednesday said it decided to press six charges against Mr Premchai.

Those are: carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, hunting protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally, and collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve without permission.

Another five charges were dropped.

They are: entering a wildlife sanctuary without permission, possessing wildlife-hunting tools, attempting to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, committing cruelty to animals, and possessing firearms and ammunition without permission.

The move sparked a backlash in social media.

Deputy police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said the Office of Public Prosecution Region 7 is expected to send its view on the indictment decision to the police next week.

After it receives feedback from them, Pol Gen Srivara said he would call a meeting with police officers who are handling the case to map out how they would proceed.

Referring to the charge of attempting to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary, which was only brought against Mr Thanee, who was found to have used Mr Premchai's firearms to poach the wildlife, Pol Gen Srivara stressed the other three should have at least faced a charge of colluding to commit the offence.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!

Police submitted a letter of objection to public prosecutors Tuesday regarding the indictment against construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, who has been charged in a suspected poaching incident at a protected wildlife sanctuary.

Deputy police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul led a team of investigators to submit the letter to the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG).

Police proposed earlier that Mr Premchai should be indicted on 11 counts. The Office of Public Prosecution Region 7 last Wednesday dropped five of them, leaving six in place including the charge of colluding to enter a wildlife sanctuary without permission.

In the letter of objection, police insisted the indictment against Mr Premchai and three others should include the charges of colluding to enter a wildlife sanctuary without permission, colluding to smuggle wildlife-poaching equipment into a wildlife sanctuary without permission, and colluding in attempting to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission.

The officers said they have accepted the prosecutor's decision to drop the charge of colluding to commit cruelty to wild animals, and the charge of colluding to possess weapons and ammunition.

Pol Gen Srivara said police wanted the prosecutors to reconsider the charges that had been dropped, particularly that of colluding to enter a wildlife sanctuary without permission, after they studied the regulations regarding entry to national parks by the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (NPWPCD).

Pol Gen Srivara said previously that although no penalty is stated in the NPWPCD's regulation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has already filed a civil suit against Mr Premchai and three other suspects for this offence.

Tharam Chaleechan, deputy spokesman of the OAG, said the attorney-general would make a decision before the final detention period of the suspects in April.

The president of Italian-Thai Development Plc and his accomplices were arrested on Feb 4 after reportedly shooting and eating a rare black leopard.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!

These bums got caught red-handed with their hands in the cookie jar. There is no alleged nothing, not even any need for a court case as such. Set an example to other potential barbarians, and execute the trash.

At the end of the day, they should have been shot on site.

Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact

Prosecutors have decided to indict construction tycoon and accuse wildlife poacher Premchai Karnasuta on an additional charge of illegal possession of firearms.

Police investigators briefed deputy national police chief Pol Gen Srivara Rangsibhammanakul on the latest developments in the case on Tuesday.

Pol Gen Srivara said later that prosecutors from Region 8 have decided to indict Mr Premchai in the Criminal Court for illegal possession of firearms in violation of the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Fireworks Act, NCPO order No 44 and the Criminal Code.

Investigators from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division reportedly found 43 firearms and a quantity of ammunition during a search of Mr Premchai’s residence on Soi Sun Wichai 3 in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, in February. Six of the guns were not licenced.

The president of Italian-Thai Development and three employees were arrested on the night of Feb 4 for alleged illegal hunting in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site, in Kanchanaburi province.
They were found in possession of dead protected animals, including a rare black leopard and its pelt.

After police submitted their investigation report recommending indictment on 11 charges, prosecutors decided to press six charges against Mr Premchai.

These are carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, hunting protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally, and collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve without permission.

The five charges dropped were entering a wildlife sanctuary without permission, possessing wildlife-hunting tools, attempting to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, committing cruelty to animals, and possessing firearms and ammunition without permission.

Mr Premchai now also faces arraignment on the additional, seventh, charge of illegal possession of firearms.
He and his three co-accused - employees Yong Dodkhruea, Nathee Riamsaen and Thanee Thummat - remain free on bail.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!

Construction tycoon and accused wildlife poacher Premchai Karnasuta acknowledged but denied charges of illegal possession of firearms seized from his residence in Bangkok, at the Criminal Court on Tuesday.

The Italian-Thai Development Plc president on Tuesday reported to the court to acknowledge charges of illegal possession of firearms.
Prosecutors from Region 8 decided to indict Mr Premchai in the Criminal Court on April 11 for illegal possession of firearms in violation of the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Fireworks Act, NCPO order No.44 and the Criminal Code.

The prosecutors’ decision came after investigators from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division reportedly found 43 firearms and a quantity of ammunition during a Feb 7 search of Mr Premchai’s residence on Soi Sun Wichai 3 in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok. Five of the guns were unlicensed.

Mr Premchai, escorted by his lawyer, denied the charge and insisted he would fight the case in court. He was released on 200,000 baht bail.

The president of Italian-Thai Development and three employees were arrested on the night of Feb 4 for alleged illegal hunting in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site, in Kanchanaburi province.

They were found in possession of the bodies of protected animals, including a rare black leopard and its pelt.

Police submitted an investigation report recommending his indictment on 11 charges, but prosecutors decided to press only six charges against Mr Premchai.

These are carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, hunting protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally, and collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve without permission.

The five charges dropped were entering a wildlife sanctuary without permission, possessing wildlife-hunting tools, attempting to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, committing cruelty to animals, and possessing firearms and ammunition without permission.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!

I supposed that it is no surprise where this is heading! A great pity they weren't shot resisting arrest.
I guess that the leopard committed suicide?
And who does one have to ask to get "permission"?
......................................................................................................Premchai tells court he didn't kill black leopard

KANCHANABURI: Tycoon Premchai Karnasuta and his three camping companions all entered pleas of not guilty in the Thong Pha Phum court on Wednesday to charges of poaching in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary.

The next hearing was set for May 21.

Mr Premchai, Yong Dodkhruea, Nathee Riamsaen and Thanee Thummat reported to the court in Thong Pha Phum district after public prosecutors indicted them at the court on Tuesday.

After a four-hour hearing the deputy prosecutor of Thong Pha Phum, Krisada Chuto, said the four defendants denied all charges after they were read to them. The court then adjourned the case until May 21.

The court released the four on bail and prohibited them from leaving the country without permission. It increased bail for Mr Premchai, Mr Yong and Mr Thanee to 400,000 baht each and maintained bail for Mrs Nathee at 150,000 baht.

Mr Premchai said calmly that he did not feel any pressure. He insisted that he did not shoot the black leopard and he would prove it in court.

He also said he did not expect the case to have any impact on his giant construction company, Italian-Thai Development Plc.

Mr Premchai faces six charges - carrying firearms in public without permission, colluding to hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary without permission, conspiring to hunt protected wildlife without permission, possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission, concealing wildlife carcasses obtained illegally, and collecting wildlife items in a national forest reserve without permission.

Mr Yong faced the same six charges plus an additional charge of colluding to possess firearms and ammunition without permission.

Mr Thanee faced the same seven charges as Mr Yong plus one more - intent to illegally hunt wildlife in a sanctuary.
Mrs Nathee, who served as cook during the trip, faces similar charges to Mr Yong, with the exception of colluding to illegally hunt wildlife in a wildlife sanctuary and conspiring to hunt protected wildlife.

The 63-year-old construction tycoon and the three others were arrested on the night of Feb 4 for allegedly hunting animals in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a Unesco World Heritage site, in Kanchanaburi province. They were found in possession of the carcasses of protected animals, including a rare black leopard and its pelt. A pot of soup was found to contain meat from the leopard.

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May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!